Then, finally, we were dancing. I could hold her in my arms, and I didn’t have to let her go.

She lifted her head from my chest and pulled my head to hers. “We’re having a baby,” she whispered in my ear.

My eyes filled with tears, and they fell straight down my cheeks. I couldn’t stop it even if I wanted to. I lifted her straight up with my hands under her arms and kissed her belly, where our child grew. She giggled. I lowered her a bit with my arms around her hips but still held her aloft.

I twirled us around in a circle. The train of her dress floated around us. I was so happy right now, twirling her around was all I could think to do.

“Oh, God. Don’t spin again, Luke.” Lily gulped.

I set her down gently and cradled her face. “What do you need?” I whispered.

“Just you. And something slow and steady. Don’t bust any more fancy moves,” she teased.

I took her hand in one of mine and her waist with the other.

“Hop up,” I said.

She laughed and stood on my feet. I began to execute a perfect—very slow—side to side step. Her head rested on my chest, and I felt her sigh against me.

Violet came up to us with Calla and handed her to me. “Does all of what I just now saw mean what I think it does?” she asked.

I nodded, and her eyes filled with tears. “I’m so happy for you right now. This is as it should be. Finally.” She cried and hugged us both.

Dylan came running over. “You’re going to be a big brother again,” Lily told him, and he beamed.

She held his hand, and he held mine. Lily wrapped her other arm around my waist and kissed Calla’s sweet little cheek.

Then we all held each other and danced as the news circled around the room and the cheering started.

*The End*

Read on for a bonus!

Luke and Lily’s first kiss.

First Kiss

Age 16

Luke’s heart beat wildly in his chest as he felt Lily’s soft lips brush tentatively against his. Featherlight and soft as butterfly wings. It felt like a dream, a fantasy. A fantasy he’d had since he knew what kissing was.

Time stood still, then changed into slow motion. An eternity of breathless anticipation passed by before Luke finally pressed his lips firmly onto hers. He slipped his tongue inside her sweet mouth and pulled her into his body as he slowly, finally claimed her.

The world stood still. Everything ceased to exist. There was only Lily. The girl he had loved forever was finally his. Her arms wound around his neck, and her fingers ran through his hair, pulling him closer. Her small, soft body pressed against his, surrounding him with her sweet scent.